While caring for others, God encourages self care

It was during this pandemic that I was forced to get back on my bicycle, which has been sitting in hiatus since I was pregnant with my oldest son three years ago.  I was biking every day just to manage my anxiety. But it was during one of these bike rides that I was reminded that I am a worthy human being, and God desires me to be my best, not just surviving.
    

I seem to forget in the hustle and bustle of life and raising of kids to stop and take good care of myself. It’s not enough to do the bare minimum of self-care anymore.  It is a treat to be able to shower without two kids and two dogs in the bathroom with me.  But I need more than that. 
    

I’ve struggled with not being able to receive the sacraments as often as I’d like. I’ve had to really lean into just how much I need God’s grace to better approach taking care of my whole self.  And I’ve made this part of my daily prayer. 
 

God not only cares about my spiritual well-being. He cares about my physical and emotional well-being. God cares about my need for community. God cares about my whole self.  And I should, too. It’s time to nourish my whole being.  
    

And, since having made this part of my daily prayer, God’s providence always provides. Taking time to read, time to pray and time to exercise seemed impossible a few weeks ago.  But when you add one thing at a time, you just start to see that each step is a piece of the whole puzzle of being whole.  
    

Kristen Bourgeois is a wife and mother who grew up in New York and now calls New Orleans home. Kristen was a police detective for 15 years investigating crimes for a local police department.

 

Currently, Kristen is a stay-at-home mom  and assists her husband with the youth ministry at St. Jane de Chantal. Kristen had a conversion while serving as a detective and seeks to help working parents find peace in the chaos of our daily lives. Hearing God’s voice and finding ways to pray is a passion of Kristen’s. She loves to discover a new chaplet or prayer app and share the Good News!  Kristen loves adventure, traveling on horseback, glamping, puppies, and watching “Phineas and Ferb” episodes.